Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Eldunā 1086 DB

• Elmedon(a), Elmedon(e) 1141 Mandeville

• Elmedon(e) by Walden 1354 FF

• Elmedun 1209 FF 1251 Ch

• Elmeden(e) 1212 RBE 1303 FA

• Elmedowne 1535 VE

• E(a)umeden', E(a)umedon(e) 1198 CurR c.1218 Fees 1253 Ipm 1254 Ass

• Heaumedon' 1218 Fees

• Eaumendona 1317 Cl

• Almedon 1204,1205 Cur 1254 FF

• Anmodone (sic) 1204 ib

• Elenedene 1224 Bracton

• Helmedon 1231 Cl 13th ADii

• Helmedun 1232 FF

• Ealmedon' 1254 Ass

• Ælmedun, Elmedun t.Hy3 ADiv

• Elmesdon, Elmesden 1274–88 Ass

• Edelmedon 1275 RH 1406 BM

• Edelmedon alias Elmedon 1548 Pat

• Elmendon 1301,1346 Cl 1338 Londin 1373 Pat

• Elmyngdon 1538 LP

• Emeldon 1341 NI 1362 Cl

• Elmedon or Helmedon 1594 N

Etymology

It is difficult to interpret the name, mainly for two reasons, (i) we do not know what the mark of contraction over the m in DB may represent, (ii) we have a curious form Edelmedon in 1275 and 1548 used side by side with Elmedon in the same document. The DB form may well be for Elmenduna and the name denote the 'elm-covered hill,' and this would be consistent with all the later forms except Edelmedon . Elms abound in the neighbourhood. Probably the latter is to be regarded as a late and eccentric development. Possibly, however, the DB form is for Æþelmærdun , from the pers. name Æþelmær .